Walking with whales in South Africa

(CNN) — The southern tip of the African continent is home to one of the world's rarest plant kingdoms, but its equally remarkable for what happens in the waters that surround it.

A big clue comes from the name of the extraordinary 56-kilometer hiking that weaves through countryside: the Whale Trail.

The five-night, six-day trail takes its name from the hundreds of ocean-going giants that return to the waters off South Africa's De Hoop Nature Reserve each year.

I'm embarking on the trail on a Cape winter morning, when the is sun playing hide-and-seek with the clouds.

It's during the winter months -- from June to October -- the coastline's transformed into one of the most important whale nurseries for these magnificent creatures.

These are so-called southern right whales which have migrated from a summer of feeding in the southern oceans near Antarctica, to calve and mate along the shoreline of one of the largest Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Africa.

Endangered species

They were named right whales by whalers who identified them as the "right" whale to kill on a hunt, their docile nature and proximity to the surface of the water making them easy targets for valuable oil and baleen.

Populations are steadily increasing since the banning of whaling and the push to protect endangered marine life through established MPAs.

The current population of southern right whales is estimated at 10,000.

With more than 100 whales being recorded here at a time, De Hoop is considered a mecca for whale watching.

Diverse terrain

The diverse protea plant family is named after the Greek god Proteus, who could change his form at will.

Megan King

Set within the natural contrasts of some of the most varied coastal and mountain terrain in the world, the Whale Trail is an exceptional hiking experience.

The trail starts inland at Potberg, with a two-day trek towards the coast, and finishes on day six at Koppie Alleen.

Day one is the toughest and longest stretch, climbing Potberg Mountain to Cupidoskraal.

The fynbos -- the native shrubland -- astonishes with its golden yellow and orange blooms.

On a clear day, Cape vultures can be seen gliding overhead what is one of their last remaining colonies in the region.

At the top of Potberg Mountain the views over the limestone fynbos plains are spectacular and looking down into the valley, I have the sensation of the land moving like a river beneath the wet, windswept clouds.

Looking north, the borders of the reserve are clearly visible and in stark contrast to the manicured fields of agricultural farming that seem to be slowly closing in on the wilderness.

We descend along the watershed above Grootkloof where unique varieties of protea and erica grow. The cola-colored Melkhout River provides us with fresh drinking water, and the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of tea made on a portable stove.

Gateway to the ocean

The trail starts inland and leads to the coast, with five overnight stops along the way.

Megan King

The next day is a 14-kilometer walk from Cupidoskraal to Noetzie and provides an exquisite gateway to the ocean.

Along the route the fynbos is strikingly varied, with the vegetation of the Table Mountain sandstone overlapping with the limestone hills shrubland that is infused with the salty sea air.

The local plant and animal populations have specifically adapted to suit this mixed-vegetation terrain.

Day three is spent exploring the tidal pools and caves along the coastline before reaching Hamerkop.

Standing atop the coastal cliffs we spot the whales breaching and diving less than a kilometer from shore.

After the initial excitement of the first sighting, the whales are rarely out of view and, like watchers and guides, seem to travel along the coastline with us.